Snajder Elected Women's Track and Field Captain

Amanda Snajder. (photo by DSPics.com)

May 09, 2013

Multi-Talented Athlete Embodies Team

NEW HAVEN, Conn.—Last Tuesday at the annual track and field banquet, junior Amanda Snajder was voted by her teammates as Yale women's track and field captain for the 2013-2014 season. Snajder is a member of Berkley College from Monroe, Conn. and is majoring in history of science and history of medicine. She was also awarded the Stroube Family Award at the banquet for her outstanding sportsmanship, courage, and inspiration.

Although appreciative of the responsibilities she has been entrusted as captain, Snajder is excited for the opportunity the upcoming year will bring.

She said, "If there's something I've learned about being part of this team it's how important leadership is and what an impact even one person—any person—can have on others' performances and enthusiasm for what they are doing. That being said, I have some big shoes to fill but I'm incredibly excited to be in a position where I can have as great an impact on my teammates as they do now, and have in the past, had on me."

Snajder's appointment as the team's lead is more than fitting—as she is the only Bulldog to compete in all of hurdles, jumps, sprints and throws. Her many talents were on display when Snajder claimed the school record in the pentathlon during the indoor track season, an event comprised of the long jump, javelin throw, 200-meter dash, discus throw and 1,500-meter run.

Mark T. Young '68 Director of Cross Country and Track and Field David Shoehalter said the following of Snajder:

"Amanda has been a terrific leader both on and off the track. She's a dedicated, hard-working athlete who has always set a positive example for the team. I'm sure that she'll continue to do what she does so well as our 2013-14 track and field captain."

It is this dedication that has brought Snajder frequent significant achievements during her three years of competition. During the 2012-2013 season, she claimed personal bests not only in the pentathlon, but also in the long jump and shot put. In addition, she holds spots on the top 10 lists in the heptathlon—comprised of seven events instead of the pentathlon's five—as well as the 100-meter hurdles.

Still, Snajder is equally committed to her fellow Bulldogs, saying, "Our team is composed of incredibly talented individuals and I can't wait to see what their hard work and dedication will bring in the coming year."